Together we engineer: Celebrating INWED 2025

Each year, the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) celebrates International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) day to honour the achievements of women in engineering worldwide and to inspire a new generation to follow them.

The engineering workforce must reflect the society it serves
The engineering workforce must reflect the society it serves - AdobeStock

The theme for INWED25, “Together We Engineer,” underscores the power of collaboration and inclusivity in driving innovation and solving global challenges.

A century of advocacy for women in engineering

For over a century, WES has been steadfast in its mission to champion women in engineering. Founded in 1919, during a time of significant societal change, the organisation’s inception reflected a pragmatic need - the contribution of women to engineering during the war effort. Today, the motivations remain pragmatic, but the challenges and opportunities have evolved. Engineering is central to addressing issues as varied as the energy transition, infrastructure resilience, and sustainable food production. Yet a persistent bottleneck threatens progress: the critical shortage of skilled workers, particularly in green energy roles vital to achieving net-zero goals. According to PwC, the UK alone will require 200,000 additional green energy workers to meet these targets.

Tapping into under-utilised talent pools

This shortfall demands urgent action and innovative thinking. Tapping into under-utilised talent pools and reskilling workers from declining sectors are part of the solution. However, for women, who are more likely to have strong ties to specific regions, the importance of aligning initiatives with local specialisations and matching opportunities “in place” cannot be overstated. Equally, the engineering workforce must reflect the society it serves, fostering inclusivity across all levels of the engineering economy: from research and industry to leadership and start-ups. Without diverse perspectives, the sector risks overlooking innovative solutions to the very problems it seeks to address.

The growing impact of INWED25

The INWED25 campaign is a testament to how collaboration can drive meaningful change. Its growing reach signals increased awareness of the barriers women face in entering and staying in engineering. For companies participating in the campaign, this is not just an exercise in branding. Highlighting their commitment to equity and diversity positions them as inclusive employers capable of attracting top talent, which directly supports business goals. The campaign’s tangible impact is evident, and its continued growth reflects both its relevance and success.

Collaboration at the heart of progress

WES itself exemplifies this collaborative ethos, forming partnerships with educational institutions, industry leaders, and NGOs to amplify its efforts. These partnerships have been pivotal in advancing the EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) initiatives integral to sustainable business strategies. Successful companies no longer see EDI as a discretionary pursuit but as a foundation for resilience and competitiveness in a rapidly changing market.

Learning from international success stories

Over the past 25 years, the engineering sector’s approach to talent acquisition and retention has shifted significantly. Companies are increasingly recognising the business case for diversity: aligning recruitment strategies with market needs fosters growth and innovation. Yet, the proportion of women in UK engineering remains at a concerning 15.7 per cent, down from 16.5 per cent in 2022. Leadership roles are particularly underrepresented. Meanwhile, other nations such as Benin, Algeria, and Morocco in Africa, and Norway, Bulgaria, and Lithuania in Europe offer models of success in attracting women to engineering. While the UK can learn from these examples, it must also address its own barriers to inclusion to prevent a potential talent drain to regions with more supportive environments.

Addressing the UK’s inclusion challenge

Understanding why the UK struggles to attract and retain women in engineering is complex, involving deep-rooted societal challenges and biases. Addressing these issues requires actionable solutions informed by robust research. To that end, WES is collaborating with organisations like Engineering UK to develop strategies that elevate the UK’s performance in fostering a diverse and innovative workforce. In today’s constrained funding landscape, collaboration across government, industry, and education is not optional—it is indispensable.

Diversity as a key to climate resilience

As engineering evolves to meet global challenges, the urgency of addressing the climate crisis stands out. Engineering is about collaboration—bringing together varied experiences to confront shared problems. Diverse teams are better equipped to break down and analyse complex issues, and the perspectives of women and minority groups, disproportionately affected by climate change, are essential in crafting sustainable and equitable solutions. This is not a new principle; experience shows that diversity within operating models consistently delivers superior outcomes. In the context of climate resilience, failing to integrate these voices is no longer an option.

Embedding EDI for long-term success

The INWED25 campaign also serves as a reminder of the fundamental question businesses must ask themselves: do you need a larger talent pool to drive growth? Do you require innovation to maintain competitiveness? If the answer is yes, then EDI must be embedded in every part of your operating model. This is not about rhetoric or fleeting trends; it is about building a foundation for long-term success. Thoughtful, strategic incorporation of EDI is what will separate thriving organisations from those left behind.

Together, we engineer a diverse future

The challenges ahead are significant, but the rewards are transformative. By championing the contributions of women in engineering – not least through our WE50 top 50 women in engineering annual list - and advocating for systemic change, WES is not only driving progress within the profession but also contributing to the broader societal benefits that come with diversity and innovation. As you read through this edition, I invite you to reflect on the role you, your company, or your organisation can play in this journey. Together, we engineer an industry that reflects the diversity of the society it serves to solve the biggest societal challenges of our time.

Susan Robson MBE, interim CEO of the Women’s Engineering Society